11 Apr – Passionate individuals in the film industry will now have a chance to sharpen their talents via a talent development programme recently announced by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS). The programme is designed to strengthen the film crew's base in Malaysia, aiming to train 1,300 people by the end of 2013. The focus will be on training and up-skilling Malaysians to seamlessly integrate with large international film production. Seven courses featuring an intensive 8-12 weeks training will soon commence next month, which includes training in hairdo, make-up, wardrobe, production accounting, set construction, grip department and electrical department, according to IRDA chief executive, Datuk Ismail Ibrahim.
"Seventeen more courses will be announced in due course. These courses will be taught by highly qualified international experts with extensive experience in their respective fields," he continued. The move is to develop talent capable of catering to the higher standards of the creative industry, which requires support services such as wardrobe and make-up. Pinewood, being one the leading providers of studio and related services to the worldwide film and TV industry, hopes to attract filmmakers to set up their base in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor through talent development.